Our Rant –> Dr Gonzo

—–Original Message—–
From: Dr Gonzo [mailto:drgonzo@ourrant.ca]
Sent: Tuesday, August 06, 2002 4:06 PM
To: feedback@canadiantire.ca
Subject: Intrusive loss prevention procedures…
Good day,

I am sick, tired, and disgusted of being forced to either check my laptop bag or small pack when I enter certain retail outlets, or being asked to see the contents of my laptop bag or small pack when I leave others. Your outlet at 1519 Regent Avenue West, Winnipeg, MB falling into the latter category of my disgust.

On Friday August 2, 2002 between 6.30p & 7p, I was subjected to what can only be described as harassment by the employees at this location.

I came into your store with two intentions, to look for a birthday gift for a close relative, and to confirm a price on a replacement CCM gel bicycle seat. Seconds after I entered the store I realized that I would be unable to begin choosing a gift for this relative, thinking it perhaps better to come back and inquire about a Canadian Tire gift certificate between $50 and $100 after checking a local electronics retail outlet for a possible DVD gift set. After making this quick decision I continued on towards the sporting goods department to confirm the price of the aforementioned bicycle seat.

After confirming the price of the seat, I made my way to the main exit of the store after an approximate total of 6 or 7 minutes in the store. It was while attempting to leave, that one of your cashiers who was dealing with another customer yelled out that she would need to see the contents of my backpack (which ironically was purchased from one of your locations in Calgary). I have no clue as to her name, nor do I have any interest in knowing it. The closest way of identifying this cashier would be by using her physical characteristics; old lady with bad blonde dye job.

I proceeded to place my bag in front of her, when she decided to grab at my bag instantly. I immediately halted this action, informing her that she could see the contents of my bag, but that under no circumstance could she touch my property, and that if she did so she would need to contact the Winnipeg Police Service. I opened my bag and was instructed by this cashier to move the contents around. I complied with her order and began shuffling things about. The cashier began to whine that she needed to see more, and again made a motion to grab my property. I sternly reminded her of my insistence that she not touch my property. Again the cashier began to whine that she needed to see the contents of my bag and for me to move things around. When I reminded her that I had already been doing as she had instructed, she stated that I should move my bag closer to her. I had finally had my fill of her instructions and let her know this. I then picked up my bag and proceeded to leave the store.

Outside I rearranged the contents of my bag and zipped and buckled it back up and proceeded towards the electronics outlet, now with no intent on coming back for even a 2¢ gift certificate. As I was walking I saw an employee coming towards me, this employee stopped me and at no time identified themselves by either name or rank in your corporation. This individual I can only identify as “Mr Gray Haired Tall & Skinny with Bad Teeth and Ugly Glasses”. About 20 steps behind me I noticed that he had called for the backup of what I had to assume was one of his lackeys, “Fat Guy with Stupid Look On His Face.”

Mr GHT&S w/BT&UG asked me if I had allowed the cashier to search my bag, to which I informed him yes, that I had allowed her to see the contents of my bag. I then informed this employee that if he wished to pursue this further that he could either contact the Winnipeg Police Service to oversee another search of my bag, or allow me to continue on my merry way. This employee then offered another option, banning me from the store altogether. He said that all he would need to do is take my ID and then I could be banned permanently. He said that the police would not be called as Canadian Tire is private property and that they had the right to search my bag if they wished. I informed your employee that I reserved the right to “not be treated as a criminal”, to which he was unsympathetic. I asked this employee if he wished to see the contents of my bag, his answer was yes.

Before unbuckling and unzipping my bag I informed Mr GHT&S w/BT&UG that he could get rid of his lackey FG w/SLOHF. I emptied my bag on the sidewalk, 1 issue of the Computer Paper, 1 book on HTML, 1 book on PhotoShop, and a small paper bag, exactly what the cashier saw only minutes before. I held my arms out and asked your employee if he was satisfied, to which he replied yes. He then walked away, offering no apology for my inconvenience. While angrily shoving my belongings back into my bag, I yelled to the employee “You have a nice fucking day too sir”.

Is Canadian Tire proud of these Gestapo tactics? Do you find it acceptable to inconvenience customers and basically accuse them of being criminals without proper cause or evidence? Would it not make more sense for you to spend money upgrading your loss prevention staff & equipment instead of losing profits from customers you’ve pissed off, annoyed, or embarrassed?

As a direct result of the harassment I experienced at the hands of your employees I decided not to purchase any gift certificates or the aforementioned bicycle seat. Also so you are aware, I am a web designer currently close to the completion of a new website for one of the local Manitoba ISPs. This website did have a link to canadiantire.ca under their shopping section, until this BS. The link has since been removed.

Dr. Gonzo

“I hate to say this,” said my attorney as we sat down at the Merry-Go-Round Bar on the second balcony, “but this place is getting to me. I think I’m getting the Fear.”

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